Folding box



' 2 Sheets$heet 1 S. L. SAUNDERS.

FOLDING BOX.

(No Model.)

- Patented Apr. 14,1891

ms ws-rens 4:04, main-Lume msnmsrow, n. c.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet S. L. SAUNDERS.

FOLDING BOX.

No. 450,194. Patented Apr. 14,1891.

N 1: N Th an 114a) 'iu wwnclers NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL L. SAUNDERS, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDIING BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,194, dated April 14, 1891.

Application filed December 11, 1890. Serial No. 374,324. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL L. SAUNDERS, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Folding Merchandise- Boxes, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a box in which merchandise may be packed and transported and which box may be folded for return transportation.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an outside plan View of the box, the sections being open. Fig. 2 is a perspective view representing the box when arranged for use. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the box as it appears in the process of being folded. Fig. 4 is a similar View of the box as it appears when nearly folded. Fig. 5 is the same as Fig. 4, showing the box folded completely. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the folded box and represents the edge of the box opposed to that shown in Fig. 5.

In carrying out my invention I have had in mind the desirability of producing a box possessed of the quality of strength as a merchandise-box, the capability of folding compactly for return transportation, and I have also had in mind the minor considerations of constructing the box so as to fold in such manner that the faces which form the inner surface of the merchandise-box shall be protected from contamination with external substances during the process of return transportation. All of these features and other matters of construction and the mechanism whereby it is sought to obtain the objects of this invention I now proceed to describe, and herelnafter specifically claim.

The box is composed of six pieces, designated in the accompanying drawings by the numerals 1 2 3 4 5 6. IVhen used as a merchandise-box, these pieces are arranged to form the side and end inclosures ofthe box, as shown in Fig. 2. Then arranged as a package for return transportation, these pieces are imposed upon each other, as shown in Fig. 6. The pieces 2 3 4 5 constitute the side inclosures of the box and are duplicates of each other in form and size. The pieces 1 and 6, which form the end inclosures of the box, are also duplicates of each other in form and size, but are unlike the side pieces in that while the side pieces have their engaging edges mitered the end pieces have a broken edge, whereby is formed a raised portion a, against the outer edges of which the side inclosures of the box are allowed to bear, as shown in Fig. 2. These central portions at of the end inclosures operate to brace from inward pressure the side inclosures,'and thus give strength to the box,while the overlapping edges of the end inclosures sustain the side inclosures against endwise movements, and thus prevent the side inclosures from being twisted severally on their supporting-hinges by coming in contact with external objects. The end pieces are respectively combined with the side pieces by an intermediate hinge-connection of peculiar form, Fig. 3. This hinge is composed of three parts, a middle part c and two plates attached one on each edge of the middle part, the attachment being made by any suitable bolt passing through thimbles formed alternately on the center piece and on the plate, as shown in Fig. 3. The center piece 6 comprises two plates joined at right angles. In use the plates f are secured one to the end piece and the other to the side piece. This form of hinge permits the end piece to be lifted, as shown in Fig. 3, in order that the side pieces may be brought into position around the end piece 6, as shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the end piece 1 is turned over and downwardly into position with its central portion a depressed between the side pieces and bracing the same, as shown in Fig. 2. In this position the center part c of the hinge conforms to the angle made in the end piece for receiving the side piece, as shown. This hinge permits the necessary downward movement of the end piece in order to sink the raised portion a well down between the side pieces and fitting closely to the side pieces. This hinge further permits the end pieces being folded inwardly, so as to im IOO mitered, to the end that they may be positioned about the end pieces, as shown in Fig. 2. The side pieces 2 and 3 are hinged together by a two-part hinge composed of duplicate plates h, attached on the outer surface of the pieces and having suitable thimble formation in which to receive the fulcrum-rod 12. On this rod are also placed rollers A, Fig. 2, which being allowed to turn on the rod operate as buffers, and also as trucks, whereby to move the box from place to place. A duplicate form of hinge with buffers is similarly applied to connect the side pieces 4 and 5 in like manner as are connected the pieces 2 and 3. The parts 3 and 4 are connected by an ordinary two-part hinge B, adapted to the inner faces of the parts 3 and 4, and so as to permit folding inwardly upon each other, with their inner surfaces contiguous, and thus concealed from contact with external matters. The side pieces 2 and 5 fold outwardly upon the side pieces 3 and 4, as shown in Fig. 6. Hinge-plates similarly provided with thimbles are applied to the outer surface edges of the side pieces 2 and 5, also to the side pieces 3 and 4, with their thimbles projecting outwardly, so that when the box is formed, as shown in Fig. 2,

' the said thimbles are brought into alignment,

those between the pieces 2 and 5 to receive a rod 10, Fig. 2, and those between the pieces 3 and 4 to receive a rod 12 in a similar manner. These rods are inserted endwise through the aligned thimbles after the box is formed,and thus operate,in connection with the thimbles of the hinge-plates, to lock the side pieces about the end pieces. Said rods are further provided with rolls, which serve as buffers,

and trucks in connection with the above-described rolls A. The box is further locked by means of screw-bolts 20, which pass through the end pieces into the screw-threaded sockets formed in the edges of the side pieces.

In order to fold the box the rods 10 and 12 are first withdrawn, whereupon the box is opened somewhat, as shown in Fig. 3. The end pieces 1 and 6 are then folded inwardly upon their respective side pieces 2 and 5. The side pieces 2 and 5 are next folded outwardly upon the side pieces 3 and 4, whereupon the pieces 3 and 4 are folded inwardly. By this method of folding the several side and end pieces are imposed upon each other, as shown in Fig. 6, and the surfaces which constitute the inner surfaces of the formed box are all concealed from exposure to contact with external matters. Fig. 4 represents the pieces as about closing together in the folded condition and shows how the edges of the side pieces 2 and 3 approach and in like manner how the edges of side pieces 5 and 4 approach. The hinge-thimbles on the edges of these respective pieces are arranged so as to interlock and align in the completefolded condition, so as to permit the introduction of the interchangeable rods 10 and 12 with their respective buffer-rolls. Fig. 5 represents the box folded and these rods introduced.

It will be observed that in the folded package the mitered-edge faces of the side pieces are presented outwardly and are protected from injury by external objects by the rods and buffer-rolls, as shown. The rods 10 and 12 in position, as shown in Fig. 5, operate to interlock the hinge-plates and thus prevent the side pieces from unfolding. The end pieces are secured to their respective side pieces by turning inwardly the bolts 20 and thus setting them into screw-threaded sockets formed to receive them in the side walls of the respective side pieces '2 and 5.

Itwill be observed that in the folded package the exposed or outer walls comprise the side faces of the end pieces 1 and 6, which in the formed box are presented outwardly, and the mitered-edge faces of the side pieces, which in the formed box are contiguous and thus concealed from contact with IIIGI'GhiLlL dise within the box. In order to further secure the tightness of the box the mitered edges of the side pieces are match-jointed. This arrangementof matched joints obtained by tongue-and-groove construction, as shown in the accompanying drawings, I do not consider as strictly necessary to the general utility of the box; but where desirable to have the box substantially water-tight it is preferable to employ the match-joint construction.

I claim- 1, In a folding box, the inwardly-folding sections 3 and 4, the sections 2 and 5 hinged thereto, respectively, and folding outward in respect thereto, and theend sections 1 and 6, hinged to the side sections 2 and 5, respectively, and to opposite edges to fold on the outside of the said side sections with their interior faces concealed, substantially as described.

2. In combination, the folding sections, the hinges at the edges thereof, and the bufferrollers on the hinge-rods, substantially as described,

3. In a folding box, the separate side and end pieces, and connecting-hinges between the side pieces and between the side and end pieces adapted to permit movement of the pieces from the condition of a folded package with the pieces imposed on each other to the condition of side and end inclosures of the box, locking devices for holding the pieces in the last-named condition, and buffer-rollers at the joints of the box, substantially as described.

4. In combination, the side sections hinged together so that the sections 3 and 4 fold inwardly and the sections 2 and 5 fold outwardly in respect thereto, the locking devices between the hinged edges of the sections 3 4 and the free edges of the sections 2 and 5, and suitable end pieces, substantially as described.

5. In combination, the side sections hinged together at B to fold inwardly, the sections 2 and 5 hinged to the opposite edges of the sections 3 and 4 to fold outward, the interlocking thimbles on the free edges of the sections KOO 2 and 5, the thilnbles at the hinged edges of the sections 3 and 4, the rods 10 and 12, and suitable end pieces, substantially as described.

6. In a folding box, the separate side and end pieces, and connecting-hinges between the side pieces and between the side and end pieces adapted to permit movement of the" pieces from the condition of a folded package with the pieces imposed on each other to the condition of side and end inclosures of the box, the interchangeable locking devices for holding the pieces in said last-named condition and in the folded condition, and buffer-rolls combined with said locking devices, substantially as described.

'7. In combination, the side sections hinged together and the two end sect-ions connected thereto by the hinges, said hinges consisting of the end leaves f, connected to the side and end sections, and the intermediate angle-plate, right angular in cross-section, to which such leaves are hinged, substantially as described.

8. In afoldingbox, in combination with end pieces forming end inclosures of the box, the side pieces forming the side inclosures of the box, having their engaging edges mitered and match-jointed, and hinges between the side pieces adapted to permit movement of the side pieces from the condition of side inc'losures to the box,'with the mitered edges contacting, to the condition of a folded package with the pieces imposed on each other and the mitered-edge faces exposed outwardly, substantially as described.

9. In a foldingbox,in combination with end pieces forming end inclosures of the box, the side pieces forming the side inclosures of the box, having their engaging faces mitered, connecting-hinges between the side pieces and between the side and end pieces adapted to permit movement of the side pieces from the condition of side inclosures to the box, with the mitered-edge faces contacting, to a folded condition between the end pieces, with the mitered-edge faces exposed outwardly, and butter-rolls at the joints, substantially as described.

Signed at Lynn, Massachusetts, this 6th day of December, A. D. 1890.

. SAMUEL L. SAUNDERS.

Witnesses:

A. M. TU'ITLE, G. B. TUTTLE. 

